Ronaldo and nine Man Utd stars could still leave before transfer window shuts
FT Desk
- 24 Aug 2022 08:16 BST
- 3 min read
Cristiano Ronaldo and Harry Maguire were dropped for Manchester United's 2-1 win over Liverpool on Monday. They aren't the only players whose Old Trafford futures are in doubt.
United had lost their first two games under Erik ten Hag - to Brighton and Brentford, respectively - but Monday was arguably the first time fans have witnessed the Red Devils in the Dutchman's image.
Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Anthony Elanga started up front in Ronaldo's absence. Rashford and Sancho scored and Elanga hit the post as United's pressing game left Liverpool chasing shadows.
"I may know one thing or another, I won't be the one who will say it"
Cristiano Ronaldo might be ready to talk, according to Bruno Fernandes 👀https://t.co/A2nwGBkZOs— Football Transfers (@Transfersdotcom) August 23, 2022
Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez put in imperious performances at centre-back, meanwhile - something that will have been a difficult watch for club captain Harry Maguire watching on from the bench.
Man Utd players for sale
According to the Sun, seven more players beside Ronaldo and Maguire could find new clubs before the end of the transfer window, with Luke Shaw, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Victor Lindelof, Donny van de Beek, Eric Bailly, James Garner and Brandon Williams listed as likely departures.
Shaw and Wan-Bissaka have Tyrell Malacia and Diogo Dalot ahead of them in the full-back positions, while the Lindelof's and Bailly's path to minutes at centre-back is even more blocked than Maguire's.
Van de Beek's situation is curious. A Dutch domestic treble winner under Ten Hag at Ajax in 2019, he might have expected a second wind at Old Trafford after being reunited with his former coach, but so far he is yet to start a game.
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Garner and Williams spent last season on loan at Nottingham Forest and Norwich City respectively, and the England under-21 internationals could find similar deals, if not leave outright.
United have spent more than €140 million this summer bolstering their squad with Casemiro, Martinez and Malacia, as well as acquiring Christian Eriksen on a free transfer.
But with Paul Pogba, Jesse Lingard and Nemanja Matic all leaving on frees, Andreas Pereira is the only sale that has generated any money so far, the Brazilian moving to Fulham for €9.5m.
